The Queen is patron of over 500 charities, military associations, professional bodies and public service organisations.
She has been patron of 433 organisations since 1952, inheriting the patronage from her father in the year of her accession to the throne.
The remaining names were acquired during her 70 year reign and are considered a reflection of the Queen’s personal interests.
An organisation proud to have had the Queen as its patron for decades is Island Sailing Club, located in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
In 1948, the club presented the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh with a Dragon class yacht, to be named Bluebottle.
A letter from the Queen thanking the Island Sailing Club Members for the unique wedding present is displayed in its Clubhouse.
Helen Lashmore, Commodore of Island Sailing Club, said: “The letter remarks how delighted she was and would be able to share her husband’s love of the sea and all that belongs to it.”
The Duke of Edinburgh went on to become a lifelong ordinary Member of the Club, alongwith Prince Charles and Princess Anne who remain so today.
In 2016, the Queen announced her intention to step back as patron of 25 organizations and charities, and has passed some of these on to other members of the royal family.
Despite this, the Queen still has more patronages than any other member of the royal family.
Organisations with the Queen as patron include recognisable national bodies such as Cancer Research UK and Barnardo’s.
Others are less well known and demonstrate a cause that is of special importance to the Queen, including The National Horseracing Museum and The Jockey Club.
Most patronages are UK based, with the Royal Family supporting over 2000 charities in Britain.
Organisations will use the prefix “royal” to mark a longstanding association with a monarch, including the Royal Air Force Regiment, the Royal Horticultural Society, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Many of the Queen’s patronages will celebrate her 70 year reign across the platinum Jubilee weekend.
Helen Lashmore, Commodore of Island Sailing Club said: “The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, in her Diamond Jubilee year, visited Cowes, in her final tour around the country.
“They were escorted through our Club to our pontoon for a short trip by launch to the Yacht haven.”
The Club plans to celebrate its patron’s Platinum Jubilee Anniversary, with many events in June and throughout this summer.
Featured image: Oast House Archive
